More than 100 pastors and church leaders gathered Tuesday morning at Central Baptist Church in Bearden, Tennessee, to officially launch the upcoming Knoxville Celebration with Will Graham. Local churches are vital not only to carrying out evangelistic outreaches but to discipling those who give their lives to Christ.
Planned for May 1 at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, the Celebration will feature music from Christian artists and an encouraging message from Graham.
The Knoxville Celebration comes 50 years (to the month) after Billy Graham held his historic 10-day outreach at Neyland Stadium in May 1970. More than 550,000 attended that Crusade, with 12,303 responding to make a commitment to Jesus. Franklin Graham held a multi-day Festival in the city in 2008.
Knoxville was named after Henry Knox, President George Washington's war secretary. The Tennessee River runs through the city.
“No matter where I go in the world, people seem to be searching for the same things in life,” Will Graham said. “They want peace, purpose and hope. My message will be about how people can find the answers to life’s questions by turning to Jesus Christ.”
About 200,000 people call this east Tennessee city home. Steve Tatum, a local leader helping with the Celebration, shared, “Many fellow believers in our Knoxville area have been earnestly praying for God’s will to bring a life-changing, evangelistic outreach to our community with Will Graham—grandson of legendary evangelist Billy Graham. Those prayers are answered!”
Please be in prayer for all in Knoxville and surrounding areas as Christians there invite their friends and family to hear the Gospel this spring.
